When to use Zapier vs. the API: Zapier is ideal for simple automations, prototyping, and connecting to third-party services without code. For high-volume messaging, complex logic, or production-critical workflows, use the Telnyx Messaging API directly.
Prerequisites
- A Telnyx account with a messaging-enabled phone number
- A Messaging Profile configured with a webhook URL
- A Zapier account (free tier available)
- Your Telnyx v2 API Key
Connect Telnyx to Zapier
Find the Telnyx integration
Go to the Telnyx Zapier integration page and click Connect.
Authenticate
Enter your Telnyx v2 API key when prompted. This gives Zapier permission to send and receive messages on your behalf.
Select a sender number
After authenticating, Zapier displays all phone numbers on your Telnyx account. Select the number you want to use for sending.
Zapier does not support selecting a messaging profile directly — it lists individual numbers from your account. The number you choose must be assigned to a messaging profile with a webhook URL configured for inbound triggers to work.
Available triggers and actions
| Type | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Receive a Message | Fires when an SMS/MMS is received on your Telnyx number |
| Action | Send SMS | Sends an SMS message from your Telnyx number |
Example workflows
- SMS Notifications
- SMS Forwarding
- Auto-Responder
Send SMS alerts from any app
Connect any Zapier trigger to Telnyx SMS to send notifications:Popular combinations:- Google Sheets → new row → send SMS (e.g., new lead notification)
- Shopify → new order → send SMS confirmation
- Google Calendar → event starting → send SMS reminder
- Stripe → payment received → send SMS receipt
- Typeform → new response → send SMS follow-up
- Create a new Zap and select your trigger app (e.g., Google Sheets)
- Configure the trigger event (e.g., “New Spreadsheet Row”)
- Add Telnyx as the action and select Send SMS
- Map fields from the trigger into the message:
- Source Number: Select a Telnyx number from the dropdown — this is a fixed number from your account, not a mapped field from the trigger
- Destination Number: Use a field from the trigger (e.g., a phone number column from Google Sheets) or enter a fixed number
- Message Content: Compose your message using trigger data
- Test and turn on the Zap
Limitations
Zapier polling delay
Zapier polling delay
Zapier checks for new triggers on a schedule based on your plan:
This means inbound messages may not trigger actions immediately. For real-time processing, use the Telnyx Messaging API with webhooks directly.
| Zapier Plan | Polling Interval |
|---|---|
| Free | Every 15 minutes |
| Starter | Every 15 minutes |
| Professional | Every 2 minutes |
| Team / Company | Every 1 minute |
No MMS media support
No MMS media support
The Telnyx Zapier integration supports SMS only. MMS media attachments are not included in the trigger data, and the Send SMS action does not support
media_urls.For MMS, use the Messaging API directly.One sender number per action step
One sender number per action step
Each Telnyx Send SMS action step uses a single sender number selected from your account. To send from different numbers in the same Zap, add multiple Telnyx action steps — each with a different sender number.
No message status tracking
No message status tracking
The Zapier integration does not provide delivery status (sent, delivered, failed). For delivery tracking, use the API with webhooks or Message Detail Records.
Rate limits apply
Rate limits apply
Standard Telnyx rate limits apply to messages sent via Zapier. If your Zap sends messages faster than your sender type allows, messages will be queued or rejected.
Troubleshooting
Test fails with 'invalid number format'
Test fails with 'invalid number format'
Ensure phone numbers include the country code with
+ prefix:- ✅
+15551234567 - ❌
5551234567 - ❌
(555) 123-4567
Messages not being received by Zapier
Messages not being received by Zapier
- Verify your Telnyx number is assigned to the correct messaging profile
- Check that the messaging profile has a webhook URL configured
- Ensure the Zap is turned on (not paused)
- Check Zapier’s task history for errors
- On free plans, polling may take up to 15 minutes
Authentication error when connecting
Authentication error when connecting
- Verify your API key is a v2 key from the Telnyx Portal
- Ensure the key has not been revoked or expired
- Try removing the Telnyx connection in Zapier and re-adding it
Zap triggers but message fails to send
Zap triggers but message fails to send
Check the error in Zapier’s task history. Common causes:
- 40333: Spend limit reached — increase your daily spend limit
- 40318: Queue full — you’re sending too fast for your sender type
- 40300: Invalid
fromnumber — ensure the source number is assigned to a messaging profile in the Telnyx Portal
Auto-responder creating infinite loop
Auto-responder creating infinite loop
If two numbers with auto-responders message each other, they create an infinite loop. Fix by:
- Adding a Zapier Filter step that checks if the sender is your own number
- Using a delay step to rate-limit responses
- Checking for duplicate messages within a time window